First, as with my two prior adventures, I would like to thank those that allowed me to participate in their games. I know this gets redundant, but I wouldn't have been gaming here if it wasn't for the fun others shared with me. So, with no further ado, a nod to the great story tellers that made the PBP gaming fun. Apologies for anyone missed, but a special thanks to renau1g, SR, Mal, HMG, KD, dimsdale, jsb and JNC. I stole without shame their various rules, outlines and ideas.

Second, I'm still getting the hang of this GM thing, and now with some pretty high level characters, so I appreciate your patience with my learning curve.

Last: As always, I'll try not to kill anyone except through the bad luck of dice. Good luck!

EXPECTATIONS AND RULES:

Keep your Player Info Up to Date: Include mini stat blocks in your posts. Mini-stat blocks allow you to keep track of your own healing surges, power usages, acquired items, etc... without having to ask the DM all the time. It's not the end of the world if you forget, but please be sure to include it when you are posting an action block. It also make it easier for me to check basic stats.

Passive checks: I will use Perception and Insight and put information in private sblocks for certain players. If you are not one of the intended characters, please do not read these spoilers. The character, however, is welcome to, in character, reveal the contents of the spoiler to the others in game, remember that talking is a free action (but keep in short)

Combat:

Players roll initiative individually, bad guys roll one initiative roll
Players with higher init than bad guys go first then all the bad guys go
Then all the players go. From this point, we alternate players vs bad guys
Good guy turns happen in first post - first acted order.
Illegal post-overs will be resolved in that round
Legal post-overs stand even if each didn't know the other was posting (Please use Go Advanced or Preview Post to avoid this)

*I like KD's idea that players knocked unconscious will have some impact on their turn. Anyone knocked unconscious effectively goes first in the round (meaning rolling death saves, ect). Which means even if healed, you will be missing a round of action.

2. Map in the form of a grid with coordinates
**I'll be using Google Maps, so if you don't have an account, get one. They are free**
Google maps allows everyone to adjust their location on their turn and the power effects. If you have a power that moves, shifts of pushes, make sure you document all those effects in your post. I do not want to have people or monsters magically change without explanations.

3. Enemy Mini Stat Blocks including: Damage taken, bloodied status, aura, effects, status effects and MBA. I like the format where monster defenses are revealed after you target/hit them, so we'll try that first. If you provoke an AoO or a listed power during your turn you can roll the result (it will make less work for the DM and give you a rapid response)

Time: I will try to give players 48 hours to post, at the end of which time I reserve the right to RP the player's character on his behalf. I will use the most appropriate actions and At-Will powers only. I understand life happens and gaming shouldn't be anyone's only priority. Just understand that in the interest of everyone's enjoyment, your character will be moved forward to be in everyone's best interest if time lags too much.

Exceptions: If you will be out for a long time and unable to post, please let the party know and assign responsibility to either myself or another, willing player for RPing your character, or I can write in a scenario that takes you out of the picture until your return (The former is preferred).

Treasure: Keep a wish list on your character sheet up to date with what you would like, and I’ll try to accommodate within reason. Items will be given relative to player level. Parcel Gold/Items will be evenly divided at the end.
I will ask stupid questions about parcel distribution. It doesn't make sense at times, so I will have to get some clarification...

Die Rolling: Roll your dice on Invisible Castle. If invisible castle is down, you can also use the Enworld Dice roller (but please select the SMALLER results in your profile) In IC, highlight the die roll in your post and use the 'Insert Link' button to post a link to your die rolls.

Out of Character Content: Post out of character content (i.e.: complaints, tactics, mechanics, etc...) in a spoiler with the letters 'OOC' in the title or the OOC tag. I prefer as much discussion and conversation to occur in character with possible questions to the DM in ooc format.

The game begins...

River exits the tavern first, not able to determine if Shageon wanted the book or an antidote. He is reassured by the cool demeanor of the legendary halfling healer. The collected errand runners follow him out. It dawns on the group, well Rumbum figures it out a few minutes later, that the halfling didn't say which house was his.

I guess the first part of the task lays before you...

OOC:

The purpose is to let everyone get out of the tavern. Please post a stat block in your first post. @CaBaNa I couldn't find a wiki page for Pok for some reason.

As the group exit the tavern, he tells them "By the way, if we ever have to fight, I would ask you to spare as many live as you can. Some people are forced to do bad deed, and in any circumstances, a living enemy is a talking enemy. I won't stop you if they are undead or extraplanar minions of Khyber... some just can't be atoned."

During the monster turn, River might use one of these interrupt. If more than one trigger is valid at the same time, use the first in list. Please note I might change the Triggering conditions.

Reversal of Fortunes (Immediate Interrupt * Ranged 5)Target: The triggering enemy in rangeTrigger:
1) An enemy within 5 squares of you hits an ally adjacent to him.
2) The ally is bloodied
3) The enemy is not bloodied
4) River won't get an AoO, or only one from a minion.Attack: +13 vs. FortHit: 2d10 + 7 damage. The ally hit by the triggering enemy’s attack can spend a healing surge and regain 2d10 + 3d6 + 14 additional hit points and can make a saving throw.

Shield of Devotion (Immediate Reaction * Close Burst 5)Target: The triggering allyTrigger:
1) An ally within 5 squares of you takes damage from an enemy attack.
2) The ally has lost at least 11 damages, including this attack.Effect: The target regains 11 hit points. Until the end of your next turn, you gain a +2 power bonus to your next attack roll against the enemy that damaged the target.

Tondrek walks behind River, not paying attention at the slightest, instead wrapped up in a clever bit of metal that seemed to loop into itself like a puzzle. His oversized hand made it difficult to manipulate, but the halfork managed. The large metal hound kept Tondrek from falling to his death.

"By the way, if we ever have to fight, I would ask you to spare as many live as you can. Some people are forced to do bad deed, and in any circumstances, a living enemy is a talking enemy. I won't stop you if they are undead or extraplanar minions of Khyber... some just can't be atoned."

Rumbum listens to River then looks at his axe. He eyes light up. Okay River. Rumbum just hit with flat side of axe like this. The orc bangs Tondrek on the head with his axe which such force that it momentarily makes the half-orc loose his balance. See!...no kill.... Yes?

OWW! The exclamation, half pain, half surprise, is not quite drowned out by the oversized canine construct driving Rumbum back after the "attack" with clear menace. Those teeth look sharp. Mean Orc is mean!

As the group exit the tavern, he tells them "By the way, if we ever have to fight, I would ask you to spare as many live as you can. Some people are forced to do bad deed, and in any circumstances, a living enemy is a talking enemy. I won't stop you if they are undead or extraplanar minions of Khyber... some just can't be atoned."

"If I, an innocent, or any of you, are attacked without provocation I will not hesitate to mete out what punishment I deem necessary." Amarande says coolly.

Important things: +5 damage rolls against enemies with CA. +2 damage on bloodied enemies. Enemies adjacent to Ulvellyn grant CA to Amarande. Resist 10 necrotic/9 fire. If having thp's 1/round can take 5 damage to add 5 damage to attack's damage. At start of turn can make a saving throw against daze/stun even if condition isn't (save ends).

OWW! The exclamation, half pain, half surprise, is not quite drowned out by the oversized canine construct driving Rumbum back after the "attack" with clear menace. Those teeth look sharp. Mean Orc is mean!

Amarande observes the connection that the construct has with his master, the apparently inept half-orc, while reflecting on his own connection with his flesh and blood companion. It is an interesting world..... he muses while he awaits the remaining members.

Muzdum tumbles out of the tavern, just in time to see the whack on Tordek's head. "Boy am I missin' somethin'!" Without hesitation the dwarf walks into the middle, "So, are we brawling or not? I thought we were lookin' for some antidote, but this's far more fun!"

"Thanks Rumbum, but next time, you don't need to show it, you had explained it well already." tells River to Rumbum.

He then eye at Amarande with a sad look as he reply with his cold voice. He felt a pain in his heart. He knew he could try to argue, but he didn't felt it necessary, nor useful at this moment to do so.

As Muzdum replies, River answers him "I hope so, but I've learn that danger come to you when don't expect it. And we just implicated us in a story that include an assassin, so it raise the chance of some confrontation."

River than look around, he doesn't see @CaBaNa Pok, but he is used to the gnome who stay in the shadow and watch the event before scribing it somewhere.

Exiting the tavern with the group, Pok slowly falls back until he blends with the general bustle of town and then slips into an alleyway. The gnome looks cautiously around corners and never loses sight of River for more than a few moments, as he was hyper-aware of the dark nature of assassins. The gnome rolls his new orb in his hand nervously as he shadows the group.

Immediately after Rumbum wallops Tondrek, Pok looses as an involuntary giggle, giving River (and anyone else in earshot) a sure sign the shy gnome hasn't lost sight of the group.

His cover blown, the gnome wanders back into the street, as close to River's side as possible; practically under his robes. Um... We didn't find out where he lives, so the Sivis Notary Guild may be a wise place to visit.

OOC:

Sorry that took so long, updating Pok's sheet was a real PITA. Sheet updated here.

Pok

"Readied" Immediate Actions

If an enemy moves adjacent to Pok, he will use "Moonstride"

If Pok takes damage he will use "Fade Away"

If Pok is hit by a charm or psychic attack he will use "My Mind is My Own"

"Thanks Rumbum, but next time, you don't need to show it, you had explained it well already."

The orc gives the cleric a confused look while shifting his gaze back to the construct still growling at him. Ah...yes...Rumbum understand. He turns to the half-orc. Rumbum sorry...not mean....Rumbum only mean to those who hurt River and Pok...yes...very mean to them.